Tuesday 25 December 2007

Player profile - Lee Baldwin


Welcome to the first edition of Player Profiles. This week we have the self proclaimed Wheatsheaf Heartthrob Lee Baldwin. Lee describes himself on the pitch as having the flair of George Best with the defensive quality of Didier Deschamps. Although adopting the different styles at the wrong times can be his weakness.
Hello Lee, heavy night last night?
Just a little, I think I'm still drunk. Fallick and I met up with Big Dave down the Wheatsheaf for some light entertainment that resulted in the usual visit to the Mecca. Not the bingo, but the pilgrimage to the nightclub on the pier. A good night was had by all. Highlight of the evening was seeing Birch on the dancefloor busting some rather camp moves!
Right then, back to the questions. Some light qustions to warm you up. Who is the worst dressed player at the Wheatsheaf?
It has to be Raggy. It seems that he is stuck in a timewarp.
Which team mate to most admire and why?
Bill, I just love him. He is a legend.
Apart from Birch buying a round, what has been your favourite moment whilst at the Wheatsheaf?
When we beat the Railway 3-2 after being 2-0 down.
What attrcted you to the Wheatsheaf?
My family drink here and I have been actively recruiting employees on behalf of Kevin. It seems to go wrong though when he starts the cellar training.
Any pre-match superstitions?
I like to wear number 8. Unless I'm sub of course.
Thickest team mate?
It has to be me. I can't be good looker and intelligent. I also didn't realize that you could send e-mails to Canada.
Which team mate least likely to buy a round?
Fallick or Birch. Fallick as he doesn't have any money and Birch is just the tightest man in the world.
Name 3 dream dinner dates?
Me granddad as I have never met him.
Bobby Moore, a West Ham legend.
And Keith Chegwin, he always makes me laugh.
And finally, who would win a fight between a bear and a shark?
Shark
Well that was about as interesting as a visit to the dentist. Hopefully the next guest will have a bit more substance up top.

Wednesday 19 December 2007

Wheatsheaf 10 - Six Villages (or Six toes) 1

The Wheatsheaf 10 Six Villages United 1With a couple of weeks since their last game The Sheaf were hoping to pick up from where they left off against Lavant against the divisions bottom team. A couple of changes were inforced on them late in the day with Scott Taylor going AWOL and Shane Sutton unable to shake off a niggling hip injury. In came Bill Frankling and Rich Sherwell with Raggy moving to right back in a reshaped defence.There was a suprise as the visitors started the game with only 9 players (that works out to be 1 and half player per village!!) although they managed to persuade a rather round looking spectator to don his boots and do a stint up front taking them up to 10.As the game got underway The Sheaf struggled to get their passing going - too many killer balls were attempted and possession squandered. They still managed to create chances but a combination of good defensive blocks and Villa's oblong head meant the score remained nil nil.When the opening goal came it was a rare moment of class as Lee Baldwin collected a clearance on the edge of box took a touch and calmed placed a looping shot into the bottom corner. Chances came and went but after a succession of corners the pressure told as a Six Villages player unleashed an unstoppable volley into the roof of the net. 2 more goals followed in quick succession with Fallick continuing his good form with a calm finish and Sherwell with a point blank header that went in off the bar.4-0 but just before half time The Sheaf suffered a huge blow when Fallick slipped on a stone and turned over the ankle that troubled him early on in the season. He was carried off quite clearly in some pain and on came Chandler for his 1st game in weeks.The 2nd half started with Six Villages back down to 9 men - the spectator claiming he had pulled his hamstring (although I thought you had to be quick to do this) The Sheaf continued pressing forward and a good ball from Sherwell released Shacks who kept calm and placed a shot in the far corner for the 5th. The half seemed a bit of a blur as goals came at regular intervals. There seems some confusion who scored them all but for certain Shacks got another one and Chandler after a string of glaring misses finally got on the score sheet with the 10th. The debate centres around whether Sherwell got the 3 others - for certain he got 2 but some claim the Six Villages defender who scored the O.G earlier also added a 2nd??? Sherwell definately got at least a hat trick and we will wait confirmation from Andy Gray and the dubious goals panel for the mystery goal!It was good to see the return of club captain Ben Whiffin who had a 30 minute run out and to see Dave McDonald put his red card misery behind him with an impressive cameo performance at right midfield.The downpoints were conceding a goal from a breakaway and the injury to Fallick. Fans were left hoping it wouldn't keep him out too long although he looks certain to mss the big game against Arun View which is sure to be a much sterner test next sunday.
E-Man - 7 (Not much to do - missed a sitter when went up front)
Raggy - 7 (Solid as usual)
Scott - 7 (Difficult to look good when not much to do)
Bill - 7 (Same as above)
Birch 7 (Dependable - let in the goal late on)
Gav 7 (Some great deliveries from corners)
Lee 8 (Great goal - MOM)
Villa 7 (50p head!!!)
Shack 8 (2 goals - 2 good finishes)
Sherwell 8 (Hat trick - could have been more)
Fallick 7 (Injured early on - will be a big loss)
Chandler 7 (Worked hard - will have better games)
Benny 7 (Composed on ball)
Mac 7 ( Put in some great crosses)